NDLEA intercepts over N2.1bn worth of codeine syrup, loud consignments in Lagos, P/Harcourt
Large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2.1billion in street value have been intercepted at the Port Harcourt seaport, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Agency’s Spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday said at the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers with the cooperation of other security agencies on Friday, May 31, intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Babafemi said the consignment estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis, was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security officials, while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.
During preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany, but travelled to Toronto, Canada to transport the drug to Nigeria. During his interview, he claimed that he was recruited as a mule to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of six million naira.
Also, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives on Monday, May 7, intercepted a container marked TEMU 6807401 imported from India enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
During a joint examination of the container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, 1,750 cartons of codeine weighing 26,250kg, containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid worth N1,225,000,000, in street value were discovered.
While in Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA officials on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada Expressway on Friday, May 31, while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa State. In the same vein, officials in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, May 29 nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
Babafemi however said two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti State where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday, May 30.
